The SpectrumForce Scanner Lapel Speaker with Audio Boost & Antenna Mount is one of the coolest products we've ever developed. With a look similar to the speaker-microphones used by law enforcement, security,
fire service and EMS officers, this speaker has multiple important functions: It brings your portable scanner audio up close to your ear (rather than down by your side on your belt), it provides a variable audio boost, and it puts the antenna up higher and away from your body -- in a much more efficient location for better signal reception range and clarity.

The audio boost on the lapel speaker works via a jumper cable that runs inside the speaker housing from the antenna jack ground lead to
the speaker ground. This method cancels internal scanner audio resistance to the speaker jack which is used to protect your hearing
when utilizing an earphone. However, with the lapel speaker, you will not be using an earphone running directly into your ear, but rather a
speaker, to listen to the scanner audio. Thus, the volume will be similar to listening closely to the speaker on the scanner itself (as you normally would if you were holding the scanner in your hands) however the speaker will be on your lapel or shoulder when walking around or driving in a car, rather than on your belt as part of the scanner. An engineer has tested this construction method and confirms that it works well and has no negative impact on audio amplifiers (see below). The lapel speaker audio boost works with most, but not all, portable scanners.

For current model scanners available from Uniden-Bearcat, RadioShack and GRE we have found it only does not provide the boost on the PRO-107 and GRE PSR-700. Of course if you find that you are not
getting the audio boost on your model scanner you have 30 days to return the lapel speaker. Please remember also that when we say "audio boost" there is no amplifier or battery in the speaker. The audio level will be similar to what you would hear were you to mount the scanner itself on your lapel. All our testers found it to be very acceptable to impressive and very useful. A small volume adjuster is also included on the speaker so it's easy to turn down when needed without having to reach and fumble for the volume control on the scanner itself.

Because the top of the speaker housing is small we were unable to include a BNC jack and rather had to use an SMA jack, which is the same type of jack used on most current model Uniden portable scanners
(330/346/396 series). Customers without an SMA antenna can either purchase a variety of SMA antennas from Scanner Master (including the common all-band rubber-duck which looks very good on the lapel speaker and is manufactured by Uniden-Bearcat for their high-end portable scanner line) or you can purchase an SMA to BNC adapter for $4.95 from Scanner Master and continue to use the BNC antenna that came with your scanner (the end result just won't look quite as attractive).

There are two models of the lapel speaker available. One has an SMA antenna connector at the end of the cord from the speaker housing to connect directly to the Bearcat 330, 346 and 396 scanners. The other version has a BNC antenna connector to connect directly to all other portable scanner models.

You must utilize the antenna mount on the lapel speaker to take advantage of the audio boost. However, the added benefit is that by mounting the antenna on the lapel speaker you elevate the antenna for the radio (as compared to having it located on your belt) which will in general improve reception. Also, by having the antenna on the scanner on your belt, next to your body, you de-sensitize it. Mounting the antenna up and away from your body and on the lapel speaker you no longer de-sensitize the antenna. This is why many police, fire and EMS agencies use a speaker microphone with the antenna mounted on the speaker for their officers as well.

Couldn't get any sound out of it even with the volume on the scanner and the speaker turned all the way to full volume

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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Not very loud w/BCD436HP

June 26, 2015

Reviewer:
Donald Alexander from Bandon, OR United States

Love the concept and functionality. It is loud enough to hear but not overly so.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

SpectrumForce SMA Spkr Mic is GARBAGE

January 23, 2013

Reviewer:
Kirk Hoffmann from Pierrefonds, QC Canada

I have bought from Scanner Master for 15yrs both at their office in MA and thru telephone orders and has always been satisfied and always treated as a valued customer until this time. This $40 spkr mic isn't worth a dime..the volume is either on or off..nothing in between, and when it is on the sound is all muffled and distorted...2nd the antenna cable to the SMA connector doesn't stay attached..it keeps coming apart..even after trying to fix it ,it keeps coming apart. when i called ScannerMaster on the phone the guy tells me he never had any problems with this item and I must have damaged it myself so there was nothing ScannerMaster would do.. by chance i come accross these 2 other comments on ScannerMaster's site complaining about the exact same problems,,and these comments were from 2011 yet i bought mine in 2012, yet Scanner Master claims they never had any complaints / problems with this item.. Thank you so much for the lack of of customer service your people extended to me.

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Lapel Speaker

October 26, 2011

Reviewer:
Craig Scott from Watervliet, NY United States

I must agree with Juan. Even with the volume control all the way up, audio is almost inaudible. Makes it tough at air shows! AND, the SMA connector pulled off after 3 uses. AND no one will fix it!

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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

Bad audio

September 24, 2011

Reviewer:
Juan Gonzalez from Elmhurst, NY United States

Lousy as bad as it gets, cute looking device with good intentions but the audio is so low that even in a room of normal noise level is too low to hear. Seriously no TV on, no conversation going on. Just about the only noise that will not interfere with listening is the noise my typing is making on the computer keyboard.